Hallelujah

Norman A. Rubin
POB 1020
Afula 18550, Israel
Hallelujah - Norman A. Rubin
"It is difficult but not impossible to conduct strictly honest
business. What is true that honesty is incompatible in amassing a large
fortune." - Mohandas K. Ghandhi

The pages of history of the Wild West are filled with stories of the
one sided battle with the native peoples and the opening of the land to
settlers and business entrepeneurs. Off course the Indians eventually
lost out as the white settlers with gifts of beads and false promises
took over the western lands.
There were many an honest folk amoungst the new comers to the land and
justice prevailed, except to the natives of the land. Their shops
supplied the needs of settlers for a honest dollar; the good preachers
brought the Word; smithies worked in the heat of their furnaces to see
the shoeing of animals; doctors tended the sick and wounded and when
his cures were to no avail a friendly undertaker was there at the end
of the road.
But beneath that gentile layer of honest folk striving to better
themselves and the good land, there existed the sniveling worms of men
and women who lived off the dishonest dollar. It came in the guise of
the gambler with the card up his sleeve; the lady of the night who
doped and robbed; the carpetbagger that was looking for political and
lucrative opportunities.
And, off course, amoung the trashy folk was the commercial traveller
who sold snake oil together with tracts of the Good Book. His
medicament concoted of creek water and the taste of bitter herbs
guaranteed to correct all that ails man or woman. The tracts told of
the prophets and saints; many a deceived delicate creature along the
way was taught the lesson of fallen women - only for a ten cents a
copy. And there were other bits of slim papered literature that was
secretly offered by those hucksters; off-coloured booklets that
titilated with stories about naughty women in various situations and
illustrated poses - for only two bits.
Set back and listen to my story that tells about one such woe-be-gone
creature and his innocent assistant...
------------------
"Jeb Stuart, watched tearfully as the body of his father was lowered
into the harsh earth; the same earth that sapped the strength of the
good pater to the end of days. Jeb stood tall next to his grieving
mother as the preacher read the prayers for the departed. The wretched
lad held his mother firmly by her arm and watched in bitterness and
hurt heart as kin and near neighbors shoveled the earth on top of the
pinewood coffin.
Jeb Stuart was seen in the eyes of the mourners as a tall lanky
youngster nearing his sixteenth year. He was freckled in the fullness
of his youthful face with clear blue eyes shining under tossled sand
brown hair. Jeb was known in the past years as a hard working hand to
his father as they laboured together on their land. What book learning
he had was credited to his mother and he did her proud when he read the
biblical chapter at the Sunday-go-to-meetings.
After the service of burial he accompanied his mother back along the
sandy trail to their sod dwelling; he encircled the lamentingly woman
in his muscled arms to protect her in the moment of grief. With soft
words he comforted her and his words gave her the needed strength to
carry herself along the dreary way.
Quiet reigned in the crude hut as they entered with only the sound of
the heavy tread of their feet. Soft sobbing could be heard from the
woman as she set herself on a hard cane chair along a planked table.
Her right arm was bent with the elbow on the wood and her left hand
clenched in a fist that was pressed on a reddened cheek. Her son was
behind equally quiet but his presence nearby was a comfort to
her.
Within the dimness of the simple home their kin and concerned neighbors
came and offered their sympathy for her loss. All were in the clothes
of the men and women of the soil with the harshness of their toil
etched on their faces. A sympathetic word or two from each in turn was
expressed to the widow. Then, after a few minutes, they left the
crudely furnished interior. Each in turn left the sod hut to face
another hard day in exhaustive labor on a few miserable acres of their
own farms.
The only other person that remained in the aura of lament was a person
known as Uncle Ebeneezer, the brother of the late departed. Ebeneezer
Stuart was more like a scarecrow with a stunted form scrawny in
appearance; his sticklike appendages were thin and boney with crooked
fingers tappering to a point. The facial features were scrooge-like
being equally boney on a thin oval face with a beaked veined nose, dark
eyes around bushy brows and pursed lips. His hair was receeding to
baldness with strings of dyed black hair along his head; it was
partially hidden under a shapeless beaver fur hat, rarely
removed.
His bitter disposition was a crabby as his appearance, "Tol' him once
and twice more t'aint no use farming this miserable land. No, he went
right ahead. Look what it led him, nothing. Nothing to show!", he
grumbled when he entered the sod hut. Then he folded his hands behind
the dark of travelling coat and paced about the small confines of the
small room grumbling and mumbling. "No he had to be a dirt farmer!" he
spoke in the curse of his tongue.
"Ebeneezer, Please have a bit of mercy!"
"No Mamie! Got to speak my piece," he muttered and stopped in his
pacing. With a boney finger pointed at her as he condemned, "you were
once a lovely gal, quite a pretty filly. Now look at you. A shapeless
body in your worn rags. The misery of yer' life be written on the
creases on yer' face and on the white of yer' hair. Thet's all me
brother gave you. That's all, except being thet' fine son of
yers'."
Ebeneezer Stuart continued in the roughness of his speech. He lambasted
his late dear departed brother as being a fool for attempting to farm
this government land grant, "Should of left the miserable land to the
Redskins and not given to white folks. My brother was sure brainless
and downright mad in thinking he could make an honest living from
it."
The youth, Jeb by name, attempted to avenge the harsh words about his
father. He clenched his hard fists and made a move towards his uncle
but his mother calmed him.
"Jeb, Ebeneezer please! We just laid my poor man in the ground. Let
there be time for a bit of mourning. Please, for heaven's sake."
Tempers cooled followed by a tense silence; the only sound heard was
soft sobbing of the woman's lament. All were staring at one another;
their tongues tied in the deepness of thought.
"Mamie you've got to come to a decision fer yer future. Ain't no use
staying on these miserable few acres."
"You're be right in yer words Ebeneezer. I've had a moment of thinkin'
settin' h'yar."
"The time might not be fitten' with yer man lying fresh in the ground,"
grumbled Ebeneezer, "but it has to be done!"
"Agin' ye speak wit' a bit of sense. I should stop the sobbing fer a
time and for us to spell words about me and me boy, Jeb!"
Then the two elders voiced sensible thoughts and words. Decisions were
reached. Ebeneezer agreed to stay and settle all accounts, namely that
the grant of land would be returned to the government. He would see to
the sale of all equipment and livestock. Ebeneezer also agreed
grudgingly that all monies earned would be given to the woman with a
small stake for her son.
Mother Mamie agreed to pack all her personal possessions and move back
East and take up residence with her elder sister and her family. An
offer was generously given when the news of sickness and death reached
a distant kin. "Plenty of room in our house. No need to worry!" was the
written words in a letter that assured the grieving widow.
Her son Jeb would be taken into the capable hands of Ebeneezer and
taught the trade of commercialism, which the good man was engaged. The
mother was assured that her son would be well cared for in this
engaging work. Also, Ebeneezer will see to Jeb's attention to letter
writing to his mother.
After all that was agreed and settled Ebeneezeer unharnessed his mule
from his covered wagon and was stabled. Then the brother waited to the
proper time at the end of mourning before he committed himself to
action in closing that bitter chapter.
Jeb Stuart in the meantime busied himself in the small vegetable patch
uprooting all the potatoes, turnips and onions that were seen to be
ripe and fit to eat. The crop was meager, but adequate for a few meals
on the trail ahead when he made his way with his Uncle Ebeneezer. He
rubbed the hard soil from the root vegetables carefully and packed them
in a coarse sack.
The rest of the ripening vegetables mainly wormy cabbage and shriveled
tomatoes, were harvested to provide an addition to the few meals in
their togetherness as family around the rough pinewood table. The
family's cow was milked for a few more times till she was led away by a
near neighbor upon her purchase. Eggs were collected from the remaining
hens and given to Mamie to be hard-boiled for her trip on the coming
train. Then one by one he sacrificed the remaining poultry - some for
meat for the last meals and others smoked for the trips of both his
mother and uncle.
Only a grunting pig was left till the arrival of the butcher, a
knowledgeable neighbor who knew of skinning, dressing the meat, how to
trim the cuts and to the salting and smoking; the payment of trotters,
tripe and a bit of fat back covered the cost.
Time was on Jeb's hands after the simple chores. Curiosity got the
better of Jeb and he decided to have a look see into the interior of
the covered wagon. With a torn piece of cloth dipped in a pail of water
he managed to clean his hands somewhat. Then he went to the rear,
grabbed the wooden tailgate and with a hefty jump boosted himself
inside. It took him a moment or two to focus his eyes in the shadowy
interior; within his clear sight he was able to discern camping
equipment, a sack of provisions, along with wooden boxes and wrapped
packages of various shapes and sizes.
A wooden case packed with filled bottles was the first to catch his
attention. He removed one of the bottles and looked at its printed
label, "Choctaw Snake Root Healing Medicine"; it was followed by words
attaining to the medicinal value of the contents that depicted a
cure-all application to all ailments of man and of woman. The bottom of
the label was signed, 'Dr. Ebeneezer Stuart, MDA, LLD'.
Then Jeb uncorked the bottle and took a deep sniff of the so-called
remedial liquid, which caused him to gag and cough. "Lordy, thet' stuff
is real horrible," he exclaimed to himself. He quickly replaced the
cork and put the flask back into the box.
The wrapped packages then took the interest of Jeb but he dared not
tear them open. He just gazed at the written words on the thick
wrapping paper, which indicated that the contents within were biblical
tracts from the Church of the Brethren of the Lord. A rather large
package had a blessed wording, 'Bibles to be given to the heathen
savages for their salvation'.
Suddenly his eyes spotted a large tear in one of the wrapped packages
with the sight of some of the contents. Jeb bent down and saw that the
items were small literary booklets loosely packed. The boy with ease
remove one and searched the title, "Naughty Times in a Parisian House
of Ill-repute". But the language within was high and mighty and the
illustrations sketchy and not interesting.
Another booklet was removed with the title in broad letters reading,
"The Swell's Night Guide", which got his curiosity. He opened the small
book to a page, which had a quotation on the top of the leaf, "I laid
her flat, and tickled her feminine gender". Jeb's face reddened to the
phrase, but the ringing of the anvil for mid meal salvaged his
righteous soul. It forced him to return the booklet and hurry to the
boards.
---------------
Jeb Stuart sat on the hard wooden seat of the buckboard with his hands
on the leather harness straps that continually urged the cantankerous
mule to go in a quicker pace. "Giddyap you lop-eared critter. Get
a'moving!" Then with a curse he exclaimed, "Damn and tarnation, should
of taken dad's mule stead' of selling hit'. She be darn right easy to
git along with."
"Now, now me boy, be gentle with Lady, she be a gentle animal in her
cussed way," uttered Ebeneezer Stuart who shared the hard board. "Yes
my boy we must be kind to the Good Lord's dumb creature," and he quoted
a biblical verse from the Psalms.
Then with the spread of his open hands, Ebeneezer gathered the vista of
countryside within his sight. He told his nephew of that wonderful land
which they were embarking, one of opportunity. He told of how it had
been the gracious gift of the Lord, without a hint to the Indians. He
told the youth to look about and see the wide open spaces wating for
the hand of man to fill it with their seed and their endeavors. But Jeb
was too busy to listen, as the mule was no lady as she balked and
kicked up her hooves at every opportunity that was seen in the dimness
of the creature's way.
A wooden framed farmhouse surrounded by straggly stems of corn stalks
was sighted from a near distance. "Jeb my boy, this looks like a
promising place to transact a bit of trading. Jes' look on and
learn."
Jeb urged the mule to side with the splintery porch, which was done
with a kick and a neigh. His Uncle Ebeneezer reached behind the seat
and within a few moments he had three biblical tracts and a Good Book
in his splindly hand. Then the miserly creature lifted himself from his
seat and carefully alighted from the wagon. With soft treads he made
his way on the creaky porch planks to the front door of the
dwelling.
Without a word the youth followed his lead and jumped from the wagon
and walked behind his uncle. He watched from a near distance as
Ebeneezer knocked slightly on the thin door. With a curious ear Jeb
heard his uncle's oily words to a slatternly woman who opened
cautiously to the light tapping.
Jeb watched as his uncle went into his shtick and spiel. Ebeneezer
tipped his beaver ever so slightly as he introduced himself as a
representative of the Church of the Brethren of the Lord. Then with a
compliment or two with a bit of flattery to the woman he told of his
mission to bring the Word to all the folks throughout the wonderful
land. Ebeneezer didn't allow a word from the woman as he offered the
enlightening words of the biblical tracts for only ten cents a copy and
the Book, which was supposed to be a gift to the heathen for only one
dollar.
The confused farmwoman stuttered in an attempt to speak but Ebenezer
continued in his holy rote without a pause and adding more flattery and
the importance of his mission. The flustered creature blushed at the
phrases, especially to his words of flattery. Then without a word she
re-entered the confines of her dwelling, reappearing with a thin coin
in her hand.
Ebeneezer took the dime from her with the lightness of touch, which
somehow thrilled her and reddened her cheeks. A slight smile was on his
lips when he handed the tract to her. Then with a hint of a bow, he
spoke in eloquence; "Madame I hope and pray you will be enlightened by
the good words of this holy book." He doffed his beaver slightly, and
turned his feet. He looked back for a moment at the woman leaving her
with the parting words, "Bless you my sweet soul!"
Ebeneezer and Jeb returned quickly to the wagon and made themselves
comfortable on the hard board seat. Then with the youth's shout of
"giddyup" and the flic of a long supple stick the mule pulled the wagon
in a slow easy manner. Another flic of the thin stick on its back
reminded the critter to lift its hooves to a trot.
"Jeb, me boy ye can see how easy to do a bit of 'trading'."
Ebeneezer held up the thin Mex coin to the sight of the young man for a
moment before turning around to the interior of the wagon. Jeb watched
as his uncle took an iron strong box from a hidden spot and with
miserly fingers that opened its lock; with a glee to his lips Ebenezeer
lifted the box cover and dropped the coin inside.
"Jest you keep a' watching and you will get the hang of the 'trading',"
instructed Ebeneezer, "and this h'yar iron safe will be filled with
coin. Now let's us put it back and carry on trading."
The ensuing day it was the repeated performance of 'trading' by
Ebeneezer with a dime or two earned at farmhouses or with a bit luck a
gift to the Indians was passed for a dollar at another smallholding.
But, a good deal of the 'trading' ended with a slam of a door together
with rough and not so polite words.
The following days passed with their 'trading' at homesteads. Jeb took
in the vista of the flat plain with the sameness of the scene with a
sod hut or clapboard dwelling set in the center of thirsty crops. The
sound of animals sounded from lean-to barns and pigsties. Here and
there he saw a farmer at his labours and at times a wave of a hat was
seen.
Breaks for mid meal under the shade of a clump of trees or near a
trickling brook; a small camfire would be lit and Ebeneezer watched as
he rested when Jeb fried up some vittles and boiled a pot of
coffee.
The camping out at night would be similar with small talk mainly
instruction in 'trading'. After a bit of palaver and the nightly prayer
both would find the comfort of their sleeping bags; Ebeneezer's gear
was spread inside the wagon while Jeb's kit was set under the stars or
beneath the wagon.
During their travels there were rainy nights where a benevolent farmer
would allow them to lodge in his barn; and in rare times Ebeneezer's
biblical knowledge would earn him a comfortable rest in a spare room
but Jeb, off course, attending to the mule and wagon in the cold
barn.
Jeb Stuart's uncle was rather glib in his words and he could charm the
coin from gullible farmwomen despite his miserly appearance. Yet, there
was one incident that would be etched in the mind of the young Jeb. It
was nearing dusk when the wagon was nearing a whitewashed dwelling set
in the well-run farm. The setting delighted the sight of of Ebeneezer
and upon braking he he jumped from the wagon and rushed to the pine
wood door.
Jeb was rather busy as the mule had snagged the harness and it took
some time to arrange. All the youth could remember was the orders of
his uncle telling him to tend to mule and wagon in the barn; then he
watched as Ebeneezer was invited inside the home.
Later in dark hours when Jeb was snuggled in the hay all hell broke
loose in and around the dwelling, which scared the beejeezus out of his
soul. At the opening of the barn door he saw his uncle clad only in his
red longjohns and boots with the beaver askew on his head and his
clothes bundled in his arms running like hell-a-fire away from the
dwelling.
It seemed that the good woman of the house didn't expect her man to
return home from a meeting till the break of dawn when she had
succumbed to the charms of the travelling man. But somehow the farmer
had returned late at night and found his beloved wife and Ebeneezer
snuggled under the quilt billing and cooing. With curses to his lips
and a shotgun in his hand the enraged farmer gave chase to thebiblical
scholar firing off rounds of buckshot of which one true aim found its
mark.
Jeb Stuart managed to hitch up the mule to wagon and quietly left the
barn in search of his uncle. His kin was easy to find by a trail of
scattered clothing, followed by the sound and cries coming from a clump
of thistle. The youth spent the remainder of the night and early
morning hours prying out buckshot pellets from his screaming uncle's
arse with the sharpness of his knife.
After the painful work was attended together with uncle's curses of
blasphemy, the youth tended to the wounds with the balm of Choctaw
Snake Root medicine. Still his uncle's buttocks were quite painful for
a length of time.
-----------

The path towards the settlement was dust choking as at every moment the
winds would churn the sandy trail to small cyclones of sand. Both
Ebeneezer's and Jeb's skin and clothes were sandy white giving them the
appearance of the ghostly figures. The dust even put out Lady the mule
and every now and then she would shake her head and sneeze accompanied
with a loud smelly fart.
The travelling pair looked about the so-called town filled with a few
clapboard buildings of single stories; only the so-called saloon and
hotel had a second floor. Scruffy characters and dumpy women searched
the wagon as it made its way down the dusty and only street. Ebeneezer
tipped his beaver ever so slightly to the passing folk as they trotted
along. When they sighted the building with a crudely painted sign that
indicated a church they braked their wagon.
Uncle Ebeneezer jumped from seat to the dust ground with Jeb following
a couple of steps behind. Then they both dusted the white of the trail
from their clothes; and with drops of water from their canteens on
their kerchiefs that managed to shine their faces.
The tailgate to the wagon was turned into a chained platform. At the
urging of Ebeneezer the youth boosted himself inside, reappearing as a
painted warrior complete with all regalia including two feathers tied
to his head with a beaded band. Following his uncle's instruction he
moved on the tailgate towards a large sign which indicated the
immediate sale of "Choctaw Snake Root Healing Medicine".
His uncle gave a whistling signal and Jeb shuffled like an Indian. He
added a bit of flavor with so-called war whoops and threatened shakings
of a tomahawk. His performance perked up the curiosity of the town folk
and a few folk, mostly slatternly women and a few curious snot-nosed
kiddies. A few paunchy elders stood in the back of the small crowd and
simply looked on at the scene.
Dr Ebeneezer Stuart, the emminent healer went into his spiel after he
toned down the caterwauling Indian. The small crowd was silent as held
up bottle of his concoction; they heard of the miracle curing of this
elexir. "Yes siree mah friends, this h'yar brew had been bought by the
high and mighty, kings and queens to do their healing power when all
other medicants failed." Upon that note Ebenezeer took a healthy nip of
the bottle, which happened to be filled with whiskey. He coughed once
or twice, "Thet's much better. I'm as fit as a fiddle as you kin' see.
Now my dear folks fer only a dollar a bottle I am offering you this
h'yar remedial drink." His words continued by telling of its miraculous
cures for everything that ails man or woman, known and unknown.
Well, three of four of the women had the spells and a touch of rheumy
and they forked over their dollar and cradled the bottle. "You
gentlemen in the back I'm sure this h'yar medicine can give you the
needed benefits frum' yer' aches and pains," Ebeneezer called out. But
an old duffer who imagined it to be liquor bought only one and that to
him was cheap at dollar a bottle.
--------------
"Let's skeedaddle," Ebenezeer called out to Jeb. Then as quick as
possible the tailgate was secured. Then the Indian and the good doctor
took their seats on board. A hefty snap on the rump of Lady reminded
the creature of her duty and she lazily trotted along.
"There be a creek nearby where we can rest and you can take off yer war
paint, Ye can be a paleface once agin'," chortled Ebeneezer.
The so-called creek under a clump of stunted trees was nothing but a
stream of puddling water. But it served their needs in the quenching of
thirst and the cleansing of their faces and hands.
As the uncle rested under the shade of the branches his nephew changed
into his regular clothes, setting the newly bought Stetson squarely on
his his sandy hair. Then Jeb, after a brush or two to his clothes,
joined his uncle. Without a word he lit a small camfire, cooked up some
vittles and boiled the coffee.
"Six dollars, ain't so bad for pickings in such a miz'reble place,"
Ebenezeer gleefully announced as he and Jeb packed away their food. "No
bad indeed!" he spoke as he fingered the silver cartwheels and the
crumbled bills in the deep pocket of his travelling coat.
--------------

Another settlement was reached after a long trip of an hour or more. A
good spot was found on the main and only street and they braked the
wagon. Then Ebeneezer and Jeb prepared themselves and set the stage on
the chained tailgate. The young man then shuffled like a painted
warrior followed by the shtick and spiel of the uncle.
Their first customer or rather sucker was a miserable looking feller
who turned over a bit of worn script for a bottle. Without a word he
uncorked the bottle and took a healthy swig. "Yahoo! Thet be the finest
stuff I ever tasted. Mighty fine! Durn cheap if I do reckon. Ye say
only a dollar a bottle?" Then without another word he searched into a
deep pocket of his dirty and worn clothing and found two more dollar
scripts. The scruffy character handed the bills to the astonished
Ebenezeer and took two more bottle of Choctaw Snake Root mixture which
he cradled in his arms. Then with a skit and skedaddle he scurried away
to the shaded comfort of a nearby building to enjoy a couple of nips
from the flasks.
Other worthies of the town and observed the scene and before long
Ebeneezer exchanged his bottles of medicinal elixer for silver
cartwheels and paper bills as quickly as he could move. And the Indian
whooped into the interior of the wagon and passed the goods.
Suddenly there was a hoot and holler echoed in the air. "Git away frum
here you dirty snakes, git!, ye be takin' me trade from me!' The angry
proprietor of the roughhewn saloon of the town called out the ruckus
mixed with cursed words as he neared. Ebeneezer eyes were terrified as
he looked at the pointed barrel of a Winchester sharpshooter held by a
short tubby feller with his face and balding scalp red with anger. The
uncle just stared, gulped and stuttered.
"Ye be takin stuff fum my still up in the hills."
Then a moment of clarity entered the foggy brain of Ebeneezer and he
remembered filling empty bottles with water from a trickling stream
coursing down a hillock. He mind then closed in prayer.
But the Indian brave was somewhat coolheaded. He picked up a bottle
filled with that Choctaw miracle liquid, took aim and let the missile
fly. The aim was true, which crashed on the bald patch; the potent
spirits baptized the angry saloon proprietor and he fell in a drunken
stupor.
The injured chap fell backwards and his finger pressed on the trigger
of the rifle, which was pointed to the blue of the heavens. The shot
frightened Lady that forced the mule to change her attitude and gallop
like the devil.
Uncle Ebeneezer and Jeb fell back to the floor of the wagon with the
jolt of movement. The good uncle was paralyzed in action but Jeb took
the situation in hand. He lifted himself from the jumbled debris and
made his way to the front of the wagon, and untied the harness straps.
With a few hard jerks to the leather and a good bit of shouting of holy
swear words he managed to remind the cantankerous mule to return to his
usual stubborness.
Jeb then set the brakes hard before he returned to help his uncle. With
a gentle touch he put his arms under the biblical scholar's shoulders
and lifted him carefully. Before the good uncle was able to dust his
clothing the wagon was surrounded by the good citzens of the
settlement, from the gambler in black duds to the roustabouts in rough
garb. Each had coin and paper in hand and business was brisk
---------------.
"Will be doing a bit of celebration to yer eighteenth year," chimed the
words of Ebeneezer Stuart to his nephew. "The town of Dawson be near
here. Around the next bend in this h'yar trail. Big place I hear with
lots to be seen and do. Mighty fine saloons with goodly spirits to warm
one's soul."
True to the words of Ebeneezer the town of Dawson was spotted as they
plodded along the track during the late afternoon hours. And true to
his complimentary phrases the town was rather large with many fine
buildings sighted; some were of two stories.
Lady clumped lazily through the main street of the town, a dusty wide
avenue sided with building on either side, some with fine shops and two
inscribed with notice of a bank and the other of the sheriff's office
and jail. Jeb notice noticed a steepled church and he exclaimed on the
rightousness of the citizens. But his uncle's stare was at a two
storied wooden building with a signboard in fine script denoting a
saloon combined with a hotel.
"Look about for a blacksmith. Lady's shoes need changing," the uncle
instructed his charge.
Within time the fires and spark of iron was spotted and the mule was
directed to the smithy. Hard momentary bargaining followed between
Ebeneezer and the giant of a blacksmith. But the sight of thick muscled
arms holding a very heavy hammer won out and the good scholar had to
shell out some bills before the mule was unharnessed.
"That's taken care off. Now let's go the watering place and lift a
glass to yer eighteenth year."
Jeb followed his uncle's quick steps to that two storied building with
its inviting aroma of cordiality. The young man didn't take notice of
the watering of the mouth of Ebeneezer as they mounted the two stairs
of the porch leading to the entrance. They had to avoid a drunken soul
being chucked out of the premises before they made their way through
the swinging doors.
Jeb gawked as they entered as he gazed at the luxuriousness of the
interior with a long polished bar and with an ample supply of beverages
on the back shelves. His mouth was opened to wonderment as he admired
the large polished mirror. The youth's cheeks we reddened at the sight
of the delightful posters of charming damsels in all delightful poses
hanging on the wall behind the bar with an 'oh-me-gosh' to his
lips

It seemed to Jeb that the town's main occupation was sitting around
tables or along the rails, slurping the liquor and gabbling in harsh
tones to no end. He took notice that one large table in the rear was
attended by the gentlemen of the town with cards in their hands and
their coinage on the table.
The stools along the bar were occupied with patrons in their usual
occupation. But the good man that tended to the serving of the liquid
spirits spotted new custom and with a shove and a threat to his words
cleared two stools from chaps who were just lazing about.
"What it be gentlemen?"
Ebeneezer replied courteously, "this be the boy's eighteenth birthday,
so we be doin' a bit of celebration. A glass of your best whisky for
me... and a glass of sarsaparila fer the boy."
Glasses were filled and lifted. Then Ebeneezeer turned his attention to
the barkeep and with his usual oily words, "My dear sir, I would like
to interest you in some very enlightening reading booklets. Guaranteed
to give you much pleasure in a moment of liesure." Without waiting for
a reply the travelling man pulled out a bunch of booklets from the
depth of one of his coat's pocket.
Jeb's presence was forgotten as his uncle went into his spiel as a
small crowd gathered around. The youth heard words and phrases from
those who could read, 'gosh darn', 'real hot stuff', with the reply of
'only two bits a copy. Slowly the celebrant left the sales pitch at the
bar and moseyed about the nooks and crannies of the large premises and
gawking at everything that caught his attention.
When Jeb neared the staircase leading to the upper storey he felt a
slim hand on his shoulder and he smelled the inviting scent of cheap
perfume. Before the youth was able to turn around a voice beckoned him,
"would you like to see what's upstairs?"
The hand slipped from his shoulder and grasped lightly the fingers of
his right hand. Jeb looked at the angelic sighting with the looks of a
rather delightful lady in his eyes dressed in a 'o-me-gosh' frilly
dancing costume with a very low decolletage that left nothing to the
imagination. Jeb wasn't interested in looking at the careworn features
of the lady nor of her past youthful body but his eyes were centered on
the half hidden twin orbs and the peeping rosebuds.
Like a sheep led to slaughter Jeb allowed this angelic beauty to take
him by the hand and lead him upstairs. Her soft fingers entwined his
and he felt something strange happening between his legs. The bulge on
the top of his denims grew and hardened which embarrased the innocent
laddie.
The mixed light tripping and the heavy boot treads wound around a
corridor to a room at the very end. Jeb, slightly bent to cover his
embarrassed state, waited patiently as the dancing lady inserted a key
and invited inside to a dimly lit room.
"Make yerslef comfortable dearie," chirped the dancing lady as she
relocked the door.
But Jeb just stood with an open mouth unable to comprehend his
situation. His eyes got accustomed to interior and he noted that three
gals of the same profession shared the room. Small ornamental perfume
flasks and powder boxes were set on a small dressing table, some
slightly open; the containers let their fragrant odours to mix in the
tiny room. The interior was to his sight one of the feminine genders by
the dainty things spread on the decorated bed covers and hung on nails
tacked on the walls.
When Jeb turned towards his angel his mouth gaped as he stared,
"Oh-me-gosh, she be starkers!"
True to his sight the missy was bare to her skin from the top of her
dyed red hair to the top of her black stockings. The blessed dimness
hid the sight of flabby flesh with drooping breasts and wide round
buttocks. Yet to Jeb it was a delightful yet sinful sight.
Before he was able to uphold his righteous conviction, the dancing lady
had opened the buttons to his denims, and pulled out his hardened
prica. The words 'oh-me-gosh' didn't form when, with a not so gentle
shove, Jeb was pushed upon a bed. He heard his boots being dropped on
the floor followed by his denims and long underwear. He felt cool in
the bareness of skin below his shirtails. The dancing lady placed
herself at the side of his flesh. Strong hands spread his legs apart
and grasped hungrily his ready tool..
Then he felt the weight of the woman on top him; A thrill surged
through him as he was introduced to the pleasures of physical love. He
heard pleasurable groans from the missy as his prica enter the depth of
her fruitful garden with her pulsating movements. Jeb didn't need to be
taught to grasp the ample buttocks when the flush of senuousness
gripped him, which was quick, off course.. .
The creature uttered no words of affection or endearment as she lifted
her weight from atop Jeb's body. With a slight groan she pulled herself
from the bed. She took a deep breath as she stood and looked down at
the Jeb.
"That be some good swive. T'was real smooth and creamy. Jest make
yerself comfortable a bit till I get freshened up."
Jeb did as he was told. He sneaked a peek through his eyes and sinfully
watched as the filly washed, perfumed and powdered her aging body. His
eyes quickly shut as the lady turned in all her glory to retrieve her
costume and dress.
Then his delightful angel appeared at his side, dressed and perfumed,
holding a shot glasses of a potent drink. He was urged to sit and to
drink the whiskey together with her glass of cold tea. The lad had
never tasted such hard stuff and he stuck to his righteous belief
against the evils of drink. When the dancing lady turned momentarily he
emptied the glass on the floor.
Then upon soothing words to rest a bit and have a bit of shut-eye, Jeb,
in all his innocence, imagined it to be part of the love game and he
obeyed the slightly hypnotic calling. He closed his eyes drowsily and
relaxed in the ecstatic feeling of the sensuous coupling. His eyelids
were partially closed when he heard a sweet voice calling him. The
iniated pretended sleep, "Don wanna spoil the fun!" He just watched the
dancing lady's soft movements about the shadows of the room.
Jeb continued to pretend to be asleep as he watched as the dancing lady
rifled through the pockets of his denims and take out his poke of bills
and silver cartwheels. The lad was a bit put out by the lady's action,
but he remained quite still.
Then as he looked with a half opened eye the dancing lady went to a
small commode against the wall, pushed it aside, opened a small
compartment in the back and put in the sack of money. Quietly she
replaced the commode and tiptoed out of the room flinging a whispered
phrase, "So long sucker!"
"I'll be durned. She suckered me wit' all thet' lovin'" he exclaimed as
he heard the close of the door.
Jeb Stuart waited a few moments before he jumped from the love nest and
quickly dressed. Then he went to the commode at the side of the bed and
pushed it from the wall. He opened the small compartment and fished
inside grabbing three small pokes, a gold watch and a few bills. He was
unable to discern which sack or currency was his rightful property so
he jammed the lot deeply in a pocket.
The door was unlocked when Jeb tried to turn the knob. The door opened
easily and with the swiftness of foot left his iniating site. He tread
carefully the creaking boards when he heard the lady of the night
returning, together with two hefty goons. Fortunately the door of
another hotel room was slightly ajar and he entered. He pressed to
close the door when he was greeted by honeyed words of
invitation.
"That's a good little boy. Now close the door and come to me
and....."
--------------

"Don't know where you disappeared," Ebeneezer spoke harshly as they
drove along the trail. "Had a nice filly lined up. A real cutey she
was. Could have taught you a thing a two about the feminine
critters."
Jeb simply let the words fly as he urged the cantakerous mule foward. A
smile was on his face when he remembered his second lesson in the art
of courting. She was a widow returning east after the burial of her man
and when the sight of the handsome strapping youth reminded her of her
lonliness. Her room was well lit and Jeb enjoyed the sight of slim
young woman who bared the white of her sensuous flesh to him. And the
young man, now versed in the art, didn't leave a stitch of cloth on his
body when he sided her on the white of the sheets.
Ebeneezer looked at the dreamy-eyed and issued forth a comment, "Stop
yer silly dreaming and pay attention to th' trail." But Jeb ignored his
words as he remembered a pretty face and her sweet words of love.
The remembrance of the past pleasured hours was interupted by the
skidding of the mule to a full stop. Even his uncle was jolted out of
his own reverie of the profits earned in the sale of his titalating
literature. There in front of them on the trail was a small group of
barebacked mounted brown skinned men. Both Ebeneezer and Jeb were
stunned and mixed in fearful thoughts.
"Jest you leave it to me!" exclaimed Ebeneezer, "Do know how to deal
with the redskins."
The crabby huckster carefully lifted himself from his seat on the wagon
and made his way to the sand of the trail. Slowly he walked on the
dusty track till he neared, but no so close, to the Indians. With a
'how' and 'ugh' or two to his lips he made a sign of peace with one
hand raised and the other with the sign to talk and barter.
The savages looked down at Ebeneezer and the chortled in their language
at the sight of this dark scarecrow capped with a tall beaver hat.
Their words if translated sounded like, "Get a look at this joker
making with crazy sounds and signs." They simply looked at Ebeneezer
and pointed at him and laughed with grunts.
Three of the younger warriors alighted from their piebalds and
encircled the now thoroughly frightened Ebeneezer. They grunted as the
searched his dark cloaked thin figure and looked into his crabby face.
The beaver was knocked from his head and one of the savages grabbed the
thinning gray locks. The good man's prayers silently beseeched the Good
Lord for mercy and salvation as he waited for the sharp scalping
knife

Jeb Stuart, in the meantime, got a touch of a brainwave. He quietly
slipped into the back of the wagon and searched about till he came to
his snake oil costume. He quickly changed clothes, daubed his face with
coloured streaks and wrapped a single feathered band around his hair.
Then with a whoop he emerged to the sight of the Indians.
Jeb quickly jumped from the braked wagon with a jumble of so-called war
cries together with the beat of his moccasin shoed feet. Then with
signs to the Indians he made a movement that showed that the wagon and
the scarecrow of man were his by right. He moved threateningly with
terrifying shouts towards the redskins showing the sign of his anger
that braves from another tribe wanted to take possession of his
loot.
Somewhere there was a good manitou in the heavens above that directed
the Indians to accept his holler and signs. Without a word the three
warriors flung Ebeneezer into the dust of the road followed by his
beaver. They remounted and rejoined their companions. Then within a
flash they turned their mounts towards the hills and left the site,
leaving an opened-mouth Ebeneezer lying in the dust.
"Don't stand there gaping. Get a move on and jump into the wagon before
the redskins take in their minds to return."
Jeb never saw his uncle move so fast as he raced on his spindly legs to
the covered buckboard. When his kin was settled on his seat the reigns
were passed to him. "Git the mule a'moving. Got to change me
clothes."
Jeb Stuart moved slowly into the back of the moving wagon. He removed
the feathered band, rubbed the paint from his face and with the fingers
of his right hand combed his sandy hair. Then he changed into his
regular outfit.
As he fitted his coat to his back he patted one pocket which contained
a passbook of a trusted bank; alongside was his poke of coins and
bills. The ticking of a gold dollar watch caused a smile to crease his
youthful face.
----------

The mule pulled the wagon through the town fronting the river; more
like a growing city busy in the trade along waterways. Flat riverboats
laden with fur, leather and smoked game meat oared to its rickety
docks. Indians of varied tribes mixed with the merchants as they
bargained their blankets, beads and pieces of yellow and silver metal
for rifles, bullets and hootch.
The river port was the gateway to open West with acres to be staked and
riches claimed. The sight of the yellow nuggets in the hands of the
Indians stirred the fevor of man to the cry, "Thar's gold in them thar'
hills"; they gave up their past, filled their wagons with pick and
shovel and headed from the town to the unknown territory. Hard-working
farmers heard of the richeness of the soil and they packed family,
bedding and the hoe in connestoga wagons and joined the migration teams
that formed on the outskirts of the settlement.
Jeb was astonished by the inventiveness of man by the methods employed
in crossing the river. He stared at a large wooden raft attached by
rope to both banks high on stout wooden that served as a ferry to cross
the riverway; when the conveyance was filled with men and animals,
harnessed mules on either side pulled on the rope and carried the raft
to one side of the waters or the other.
He looked upriver and he sighted in the near distance Conestoga wagons
by the score fording a shallow depth of the river; he heard the cursed
shouting by sweating teamsters to stubborn oxen. His mouth was agape,
ready to shout, as one of covered buckboards tipped and fell on its
side into the rushing waters.
Jeb's mind was filled with the sight of the hurried pace of its
citizens as they busied themselves in the routine of the town. He
gawked at the many buildings, some two or three storied, fronted with
shops and saloons. But his uncle was rubbing his hands gleefully as he
thought of the coin to be gleamed in the 'trading'.
An impatient shouting from his uncle disturbed Jeb's sightings, "Stop
yer gawkin'. There's 'trading' to be done!"
The youth took in the words of his kin and paid a bit of attention to
the driving of the mule. He took in the direction Ebeneezer commanded.
Jeb drove the onrey mule to one of the streets till he came to the
town's stables. They alighted and Ebeneezer started to bargain with the
owner, which of course turned the better for the stabler. Bills had to
be forked out before hand before Lady was given a stall and a bit of
oats.
"Tarn' and damnation! Swear he took too much for the stabling. Now
let's mosey along and get us a place to a bit of trading," exclaimed
Ebeneezer who was put out for not getting the better of the
bargaining.
Jeb followed on the footsteps of his uncle till they reached a 'gosh
almighty' three storey wooden building, fronted with brick on the lower
floor. A sign indicated it hosted a saloon and hostelery. Even the
entrance door to the establisment was opulent to the lad's eyes with
polished dark brown wood and topped with a decorated window of
trellises and small buds.
Jeb had never had ever experienced such splendor in his life as he and
uncle entered the plush interior of the saloon with a wide staircase of
equally polished wood leading to the rooms for nightly boarding. But
the tread of Ebeneezer didn't lead to the hostelery but to the
well-fitted bar.
Jeb got his first lesson in being a gentleman by being told by his
uncle to doff his Stetson. He wiped his feet on a horsehair mat before
entering and stepping on the polished wood of the interior. He held his
hat by two nervous hands in front of him and meekly followed his uncle
through and around well-populated chairs and tables laden with drink
and cards.
"My boy this looks like a fine looking place to do a bit of trading,
mighty nice indeed. Now y'be going on your twentieth year. Time to
taste the forbidden fruit, the elixer of good cheer."
Upon his words the good man led his kin to the long walnut wooded bar
that was quite attended. Fortunately for the twosome there were two
empty stools at the far end which they nabbed
"What it be gentlemen?
"My good man, two glasses of your best whisky!" Ebeneezer addressed the
burly bartender albiet well dressed in the uniform of his trade from
the white of shirt to the stripped apron around his trousered belly.
His ruddy face from his thinning hair to the square of his chin beamed
as he took the order.
"Here's to good trading," Ebeneezer called out as he and Jeb lifted up
their glasses in a toast. Jeb followed the lead of his uncle and gulped
the contents entirely. Then his face turned red and he coughed and
chocked as the potent fluid coursed down his gullet.
Off course it brought a bit laughter from his uncle and the barkeep
joined in the mirth.
"First time the boy had something to drink?"
"Yep, first time," as Ebeneezer and the bartender got into friendly
words. As Jeb staggered away from the bar he heard the words of his
uncle ending a statement, 'for only two bits'!"
But he did not witness the angry proprietor of the establishment
grabbing the collar and trousers of his uncle and pushing him to the
entrance and flinging him into the dusty street coupled with the words,
"we don't want yer smutty books around here."
Jeb's head whirled from the drink and his rubbery legs led him to a
table with a large group of intense gamblers. An empty chair was
available and he plunked his dizzy body on it. For the gentlemen at
cards his presence meant only one thing his participation in the game,
namely poker.
"Are you're in or not?" the dealer yelled at the hesitant youth.
A bit of bravado entered Jeb's slight drunken thoughts and he pulled
out his poke and called, "deal me in!"
Jeb Stuart knew a smattering about the gambling game by watching
experienced gamblers in the deal from the many visits to saloons during
the 'trading' travels. His beginner's luck saw a pile of coin and bills
in front of him. Well, it wasn't exactly the luck of a novice, but
through the cheating hands of the dealer and his lovely accomplice who
hovered near the table.
It seemed that when Jeb tried to clear his bleary eyes he was able to
see some strange minute marking on the back of the cards. He squinted
to his focus with one eye on the marks and the other on the sight of
the open cards. It took him a few minutes to figure out the signs that
indicated an Ace and the other royalty. Thus Jeb knew that the gambler
was able to arrange the cards to his advantage and for him to bid
accordingly. It was a real setup.
The gambler's accomplice was a fine figure of a daintily dressed damsel
that caught the wink of interested parties. Jeb noticed that the young
girl's trick of allowing the frilly straps to her shimmery dress to
slip down her opulent breasts. The sight of her peeping rosebuds as she
bent was enough to keep the player's sight from the dealer's
hands.
Time was turning late in the hours as the dealing of cards continued in
its pace. The dealer was getting low on cash but he refused to call
quits. A last hand was agreed upon between Jeb and the gambler. A vast
pot was in the center of the table and the bidding and raising
continued to the word, "I call!" Jeb hand turned up three Jacks whereas
the dealer's hand spoke of a full house.
But the dealer was not able to gather in the hefty pot as Jeb in a
final act of bravado grabbed the lovely accomplice. Despite her
protests he pulled apart the stylish slit to her frilly costume. Then
without a word he pulled out various cards lined under the top of her
black silk stockings.
Jeb was too busy raking in the pot and he failed to notice the hubub in
the confines of the saloon. He did not see the half-naked couple,
bruised and battered being roughly carried to the outside. Nor was his
mind open to the words, "tar and feather these onry' critter and let's
rail them to the end of town!"
-------------

The proprietor of the saloon was quite grateful to Jeb's action in
ridding his premises of the cheating couple. In his thought their
presence was not good for trade as it would the give the saloon a
rightful bad name. In the eyes of the barkeep he was much obliged to
the youth and nothing was spared. He even allowed Jeb's enlarged poke
to be safely tucked in his iron safe till it later found its rightful
place in a bank vault.
"Here be the key to that blackguard's room. Paid for it a couple of
weeks in advance. Yer welcome to it fer the time. No charge. And I
ain't botherin'to check if the cheater's stuff happened to be missing
along with the stuff of his gal. Yer welcomed to it!"
Jeb was woozy with tiredness as he took gratefully the key from the
owner of the establishment. He was quite pooped out from all the
goings-on during the long tiring, yet lucrative night, and the offer of
the room was a godsend.
Then with unsteady feet he climbed the stairs to the second storey and
searched with bleary eyes till he found the room. With shaking hands he
inserted the key into the lock and pushed the door open and staggered
to the bed. Within a moment of dropping on the sheets Jeb's eyes closed
and he entered his slumber with a smile on his lips.
Jeb awoke the following morning to the heat of the sun pounding on an
aching head. He moaned once or twice before he was able to open his
weighty eyes and focus them to the brightness of the late morning. As
he tried to lift his shaking body from the bed he felt the cool of
white skin on his brows.
"The bossman asked me to look after ye! Been with ye all morning."
chirped a charming young nymph to his sight. "Brought ye a bit of
breakfast. Took a notion ye be a bit hungry. Coffee be nice and
hot!"
Jeb Stuart shook his head a couple of times till it stopped whirling
and he was able clear his sight. Then he sat up and took a look towards
the direction of the coarse voice. A pleasant sight of young girl,
barely sixteen or so greeted him. She was of plain features with blonde
unkempt hair above laughing blue eyes, freckled upturned nose and a
smiling mouth set in a ruddy face. But her plain homespun frock and
clodhoppers told of menial work.
"The names Lily," she spoke as she removed her hand from Jeb's brow and
offered it to him in friendship, which the lad accepted. In turn he
called out his name.
Before Jeb was able to reply further he felt the urgent need of the
call of nature, but Lily understood and pointed to a decorated china
chamber pot under the bed. "Don' you be ashamed. Seen plenty of them
dingle-dangles in me life! I'll close be eyes, promise!" she called out
with a tint of laughter to her voice, "Also when yer finished there be
water in the pitcher to wash up."
The breakfast was shared by the twosome as they sat on the bed with the
tray of food between them. Lily was quite expressive as she spoke of
her short life. Jeb listened quietly as she told that her folks were
righteous peace loving folks that made their home in the Kentuck hills.
She mentioned that she had two brothers, older and married with a
passel of kids. They were earlier on the move westwards and that she
had no notice of their whereabouts.
"Then me folks also got the fever to go to the rich country in the
west." Lily told Jeb how her folks packed their goods and tools along
with their gal and joined a train of prarie schooners. Her voice broke
and tears broke as she told of a tragic chapter.
"An Indian war party overtook the wagon train. Not real Indians but
renegades as they attacked at night. We were caught with our britches
down as they hooted and hollered around our wagons. It was mighty
terrible with all thet' screaming and all thet' shooting. Me paw and
maw was felled quite quickly. Only a few of us were lucky and with some
hard trek of a couple of days, maybe more, we made our way back to this
h'yar town. Please don't spell out any questions as it hurts to think
back."
"Jim Peterson, the boss of this joint took pity on me an' gave me a job
in the kitchen. Slept with another kitchen gel, a real bitch. But
somehow we got along. Even found me some old clothes left from guests,
which I mended and cut down to size. Got enough coin for a few little
things, not much."
Before Jeb was able to reply, Lily pressed her head against his
shoulder and let flow a stream of tears. The lad held her tight as she
shook in her weeping. It was for a few minutes before the girl was able
to settle down and lift her head from his comforting shoulder. Then to
Jeb's surprise, she held him tighter to her slim nubile body and
planted an affectionate kiss upon his lips.
"Don't worry Lily, I'll fix everything right, " Jeb echoed in reply
without bothering to ask or know of how he would go accompishing
it.
"Jest y'wait a' second. Will go see your bossman!"
Upon those words he hitched on his boots, straighten his clothes a bit,
and with a skip to his stride he left the room in search of the
proprietor. There at the bar Jeb found the good man in his usual
morning habit in leaning against the bar with a glass of spirits just
looking about the empty saloon.
The proprietor quite understood when the question was raised. He
imagined that the youth would like a bit of company in the nightly
hours and he agreed to Lily's presence in the same room. But he figured
wrong at Jeb's motives as his thoughts centered on swiving and not of
understanding the need of caring.
"Yer bossman be saying tis' allright," commented Jeb on his return to
the room, "be needing to bring your stuff h'yar. Give you a
hand".
"Then I got to be lookin' about for me Uncle Ebeneezer. Aint seen him
since last night."
After Lily's few possesions were arranged, Jeb Stuart with the company
of Lily went in search of the boy's uncle. Everywhere they searched
from the stables to the borders of the town, they received the same
answer that "some durn critter was scared out of his scrawny life and
hightailed from the town." Jeb also understood from the gabbing that
two goons accompanied Ebeneezer to his mule and covered wagon; that
their warning words and a couple of hefty slaps convinced him to skit
and skedaddle out of town. Upon those news there was little to do as
Jeb lacked the means to travel and search further.
Jeb just shrugged his shoulders and carried on, namely to adjust to his
new situation. Again, with the help of Lily, they searched the
belongings of the hapless gambler and his accomplice. After all Jeb's
kit and belongings were in the wagon and the clothes on his back were
his only duds. But Lily's deft fingers with needle and thread saw to
the attention of the found clothes to be fitted properly and before
long Jeb looked spruce in the dark suits; and Lily still looked sweet
and simple even in the fashion of the times.
Yet Jeb didn't look the part of a gambler. He features was still in the
innocence of his youth even though his upper lip was covered with a
slim sandy brown moustache and his long hair tied in a pony tail. But
still the tall lanky feller under the shade of a black homburg looked
quite threatening especially with that six-shooter strapped to his
waist. But the young man couldn't fire a shot even in anger and he
remained true in his righteous ways.
Lily, despite the finery of her dress, wasn't a fashionable courtesan,
but remained simple in her ways. Yet, she was grateful to Jeb and she
gave him his third lesson in courting and loving. During the cool of
the evenings they would shed their clothes and on the love nest they
would embrace in the white of their skins, kiss and touch, and in the
heat of passion they did what comes naturally.
Within time Jeb found employment in the only work he knew and that was
'trading'. He partnered up with an honest river man and invested his
small fortune in the river trade; he was a quick learner and he was
able to grasp the ropes and learn of the business, much to the
advantage of both parties.
Jeb and Lily thanked the proprietor of the saloon and hostelery after
their two weeks free lodging and moved into comfortable rooms at the
home of a righteous widow. The poor dear would have been put out if she
knew that the young couple was living in sin. "Such innocent children,"
she would sigh.
But the cooing and cuddling brought astonishing news to Jeb Stuart, who
still imagined that a stork had something to do with birthing. It was
the gal Lily who brought him up to score on the subject as she had seen
animals mating on her farm in the hills and from that knocking a little
sucker was born. Well, she tried with her words, "that when a man
sticks his yum yum in... Aw heck, you know what I mean." And her
parting phrase that told of missing her monthly shook him.
"You mean you be with chile?" he gaped in wonderment.
The righteous, but flabbergasted women was a witness as the preacher of
the local church tied the knot. The dearie understood and was thankful
for those young people in listening to the Word and taking the right
and just path...
---------------

A division of ideas was forged during the years till the days of stress
and tension churned through the land. The Mason-Dixon Line separated
the difference of opinions. Many a good soul had to make the decision
to which side to step - the north or the south.
Jeb, then nearing his twenty-third year and quite prosperous in his
'trading' chose the dividing line; he decided to take the middle road
between the north and south as the issues of politics wasn't in his
nature. Lily was consulted and she agreed with his decision. The colour
grey flew in the flag above the town and the time was nearing for their
departure.
His partner agreed to the parting terms and they clasped their hands in
agreement to the end of their river front 'trading', but remained true
in their friendship. The good man's opinion to a cattle town in a
border state would be a fine place for Jeb to settle his family and
continue in 'trading'. Jeb took his advice and after a bit of inquiry
planned the neccessary trek. Off course Lily was put into the picture,
but it didn't take a lot of hemming and hawing on her part to accept
the move to that town.
There still remained his mission in his busy life and that was in the
finding of Uncle Ebeneezer Stuart. For the past years he had taken long
treks all about the countryside and further but to no avail. His uncle
was nowhere to be seen or found. All inquiries and posting of messages
simply went unanswered. A last wide sweeping search was made before the
departure date but hope was dashed by no clues to his kin's
whereabouts.
Jeb Stuart and his woman Lily were quite busy in their preparations,
but there was that unfinished business which left a question mark in
the trader's thoughts. Still his duty to Lily directed him to carry on.
Together they went about the town and said fond farewell to their newly
found friends. Jim Peterson, the barkeep joined them in lifting of
glasses; he told of staying under the flag of gray. The righteous woman
saw to their reasoning and wished them God-speed.
Yet the righteous woman had one demand upon their leaving that being
that Jeb and Lily should include two former slaves now freemen in their
party. Moses a young dark-skinned man and his woman Maddy were
introduced and Jeb and Lily called a welcoming sign. Beams of smiles
were all about as they discussed the departure date.
Jeb led the chestnut bay hitched to a light four-wheeled buggy onto the
ferry ever carefully not to jar Lily who was holding their little
Johnny, a cute little tyke nearly two years. And the bulge under her
coat was quite noticeable, which caused him great concern.
Moses led the mule hitched to a covered wagon filled with baggage and
all sorts of goods onto the ferry. He too moved carefully and with the
strength of his muscled arms gripping the harness he directed the
animal properly. As he labored his broad face beamed at his woman
sitting high on the wooden seat like an African princess. And the curve
to her lithe body was a coming sign of fulfillment.
From the signal of the ferryman to the trek on the long road the small
party made their way to that cattle town in that border state. At the
setting of the sun they reached the town's borders. They made their way
through the dusty streets till they came to a fine two-storey dwelling
set on the slope of small hillock. There Jeb called a halt to his
horse. Lily's eyes brightened as the sight of such a fine house. It was
broad beamed and fronted with brick and topped with a gabled roof. The
polished oak door and the wide clear glass windows were signs of
welcome and comfort.
"D'ye like it," Jeb spoke softly to her, "Fair price I paid for it as I
got a bit of beds, tables, chairs and other stuff. The neighbors about
here are good people and willing to lend a hand."
Jeb didn't have a chance to continue when he heard the gurgling of his
son as Lily enclosed the threesome in joy. "Oh Jeb you don' made me the
happiest gel' in the whole wide world!"
A moment of two of happiness ensued before Jeb called for the group to
gather up their things and move into the house. Jeb Stuart jumped from
the buggy and took his son from Lily's arms and helped her to alight.
Then he led her along the path to the front door, which he unlocked.
But before they were able to look within three women appeared with
filled jars and crocks. There was a smile of welcome on their
lips.
From that day foward they had settled in proper-like and within time
called their near neighbors with the word friend. Moses and his
handsome woman had two comfortable rooms at the back of the kitchen and
they were most pleased. All and all the settling was quite smooth to
all.
Jeb in meantime found his call at 'trading', namely in shipping cattle
that was driven by yelling cowboys to the stockades near the rail line.
An elder buyer needed a younger partner and a deal was offered, which
Jeb accepted. And with the instruction from the older man, the young
man became adept within a short period to cattle buying and shipping
herds to the eastern markets.
Life went on its smooth pace for Jeb and Lily without a care except for
the dark clouds gathering in the distance. Still the trader had to
think of the unborn and the attention to the health of Lily, even to
Maddy. A good doctor was in attendance and he afforded the neccessary
care to both women.
Moses with the strength of his tall muscled body took in the maintenace
of the dwelling and its grounds, while his Maddy saw to the cooking and
cleaning in the fine house. Yet, they were not looked on as servants
but as companions to Lily and Jeb that lived together in harmony.
Two years passed in contentment. During that time it saw the birth of
little Sarah followed by Maddy's birthing of a fine little boy, Jason
by name; all attended by the good doctor. Nursing time was joy as the
two mothers felt the suckling of infant mouths; together they sat in
the comfort of the nursey as they gossipped on this and that.
At in the cool of many evenings candlelight shone in brilliance as Jeb
and Lily entertained in style. 'Dol si do' as the guitars and banjos
strummed and fiddles scraped to the rhythm of reels and square dances.
Happy voices were heard in song and skipping feet clodhopped in
dance.
The dining table was always set for many guests and the invited enjoyed
Lily's homespun hospitality and Maddy's delicious recipes; and by
tradition Moses and Maddy were treated as guests at the table set for
the Sabbath.
Many a tired trail boss found his comfort in their spare room. The
liquor cabinet was never locked much to the enjoyment of the guest who
took a nip or two without questioning. Never a word was said when their
guests took to a bit of gambling or womanizing at the tavern as long as
they shut the door of the house tightly upon their return.
Profits rose in the marketing of cattle as the demand for meat by a
warring nation that increased as the dark clouds blackened the
horizons. Jeb's investment in cattle 'trading' proved lucrative and he
learned of investment in that windy city in the east, and when attended
it added to his earnings.
-------------
Yet for Jeb and Lily and the rest of good citizens of the cattle the
march of boots and the roar of cannon could be heard, even at a
distance. Despite their convictions the turmoil came to them in the
notice of raids to smaller settlements and the sight of dark-skinned
former slaves on the run. Jeb and Lily, like their good neighbors,
sheltered the surviors from the raids and offered a link to the
Underground Railroad.
Then the conflict reared its ugly head and it came to the confines of
the town. It was in the guise of a bunch of renegades under the
leadership of a scoundrel by the name of Contrel. He dressed in the
gray of a general and he commanded his motely band in a similar
fashion. Evil he was and his greedy eyes seen through a bearded face
looked upon the town to be sacked and looted and its women to be
stripped and enjoyed by his men.
The dawn of that early spring morning was disturbed by the sound of
drumming by hundreds of hooves. The riders, under a cloud of dust, were
in the sight of a few of the townspeople and an alarm was called. A
raid was not suspected and the good citizens of the town were not
prepared to meet the demanding challenge.
Jeb Stuart and his partner heard the tumult but were helpless as the
stockades were far from the borders of the town. Despite their futility
the two men took to their horses and rode swiftly towards the coming
danger.
The cloud of dust neared and the lusty shouting of men, mixed with the
thunder of hooves and the shooting of six-shooters frightened all
resistance. Those who took up the battle in front of the horde were
gunned downed without mercy.
Yet when the entered the streets of the town a blast of shotgun pellets
sprayed the front riders. Another shotgun blast pained the horses and
they stampeded. Lily handed the empty shotgun to Maddy who charged it
with filled shells, while she fired off round after round with Jeb's
spare six-shooter; a few shots were true and men fell from their
horses. Maddy handed the loaded shotgun to her and Lily let off another
two rounds of spraying pellets. The two women looked from the second
storey of the brick dwelling on the sloping hill and were comforted by
the sight of angry and wounded men and milling horses.
"Put another couple of shells in the shotgun. Two more blasts can
convince them to skedaddle from here!"
"Yes ma'm, will do".
At the thunder of the repeated blasts the women saw that the town had
organized a large posse and were charging the raiders. Lily last look
at the retreating renegades was the sight of the angry head of a gray
uniformed officer who raised a fisted hand that promised his revenge.
But his promise was not kept as a bullet from a Winchester sharpshooter
found its mark.
Jeb returned quickly to his home after the battle to see to his wife
Lily. As he walked the path to the front door he was greeted by the
sight of the body of Moses who still gripped the pitchfork in defense.
Jeb, in sadness, entered his home and called to wife and to Maddy. His
tearfuful embrace of his wife was with blessing, but the screaming
cries of the African princess tore through the air with its
despair.
"Too much misery be here," commented Jeb to his beloved after the
funeral of their friend Moses and six of their neighbors and friends,
"time to wipe the tears from our eyes and carry on!"
The couple then embraced Maddy and held tightly to her shaking body.
Jeb told the princess, "You and your blessed son Jason will never be
without roof over yer heads. Never! This be your home fer ever."
----------

Jeb Stuart was tall and sturdy in the saddle as he worked day by day
together with his hired hands in herding the cattle to the cattle
trains at the loading platforms. It was hoop and holler work in driving
frightened animals from the stockades to the waiting freight cars. The
labour of the days was clouded with churning dust and the air fouled
with the odour of sweating animals. Needed rest came only when the
cattle was secured in the locked wheeled pens.
The demand by northern states for beef for the table and leather for
craftsmen increased after the turmoil of the war years and the
reconstruction that followed. The partnership grew in size and in
profit that increased with rights of stockade in that windy city.
The size and profit of Jeb's family also increased in proportion in the
ensuing years. His lovely Lily now a bit plump in body was full in the
belly with their fourth child. Johnny, their little boy of six was
quite a mischievious little devil tangling in the feet of grownups when
he was not at his lessons. While his sister Sarah knew of dolls and
Doctor Jason, Maddy's boy attended to the toy's illness. And there was
the sound of gurgling and cooing as an infant boy nearing his first
year lay in his crib; a fine child christened with the name of Jeb's
father David.
The sound of 'Mamie, Mamie' could be heard as the children followed
Jeb's mother about the house. "Mamie, Mamie, tell us a story," were the
cries. The good woman, now grey in years and upright in stance had
joined Jeb and his family upon the notice of unification of kin. Mamie
was pleased for the company of Jeb, Lily and their children; she showed
her contentment in the gift of her love and attention.
But there was sadness in Jeb Stuart's sight as he watched the sorrowful
movements of Maddy. She had loved her man deeply and his death was an
eternal mournful burden to her soul. She carried on daily, attentive to
her duties, without a care or concern. Maddy turned from a stately
African Princess to a wilting flower.
Still daily life had to carry on with its mixture of happiness and
sorrow. Jeb Stuart, despite his affection for Maddy, his needs to his
family and 'trading' was his immediate concern. It was first on his
mind towards the increased profits and gains to his life.
Jeb's attention was disturbed when another situation arose. The mixed
sounds of 'free land for farming' and of the words 'gold in them thar
hills' had resounded and wagon trains by the score headed towards the
richness of that western state along the Pacific coast. Prarie
schooners passed through the town, stopping for rest and supplies. The
thundering hooves of the herds of wild beasts on the prarie lands were
then only a whisper and the need of smoked and salt beef was the
demand.
It didn't take long for Jeb and his partner to set up curing factory.
Workers were plentiful in the guise of drifting ex-slaves; a fair wage
was offered and they set up a shantytown on the outskirts to house
their famillies.
Tongue licking smell of smoking meat wafted in the air far from the
center of town. Leather hides were salted and tanned and later to be
sold to bootmakers for boots, harnesses, travelling kits and holdalls.
Practically nothing was left to waste with bone ground to feed and the
entrails turned into cooked delicassies enjoyed by the freemen.
------------
The demand for cattle on the hoof increased in the passing days. The
partners realized the need and it was agreed that Jeb to travel to the
panhandle and have a confab with the ranchers to drive more of their
herds to their stockades.
A railroad to the Lone Star State was only in drawings on the
draftman's board, so Jeb had to hitch up a covered springed wagon
pulled by two bays to make the long grueling trip. All that was
neccessary from clothes, camping gear to provisions was carefuly stowed
in back.
"Be careful me love," were the parting words of his Lily to him after
she planted affectionate kisses on his lips.
"No need t'worry," was his last phrase as Jeb urged the horses foward.
Lily was assured not only by the words, but also by the sight of loyal
half-breed guide armed with a trusty Winchester and a sharp tomahawk in
readiness.
The trek along the dusty trails and the crossing of streams was
uneventful, simply long pacing with stops in shaded groves for
mid-meals and nightly camping. After a few hard days on the trail a
rancher's house was spotted. A knock on the door answered with
hospitality for Jeb and for the needs of his guide.
Afterwards a large town in the state was reached and Jeb looked foward
to a bath and rest in a soft mattress, but the sign on the hotel read
'no injuns allowed'. So Jeb joined with his guide at the stables for a
quick cold wash and the bed of hay for his rest.
The halfbreed rightfully understood the needs of Jeb for the comfort of
drink in the company of his fellow men. He dismissed the trader's
insistance of spending the night in his company and in the harsh words
of his tongue called, "Take-um fire water - savvy!" The Indian chuckled
in grunts as he heard Jeb's footsteps rushing to one of the town's
saloons.
On the way to his refreshment Jeb noticed a small crowd gathered around
a small half-covered schooner wagon set up like stage. Two tarred
torches lit up the scene on the back on the wagon.
Before the trader was able to discern the notice on a sign along the
wooden boards a stocky Negro, fierce in his countenace, and dressed
like hoodoo voodoo sprung on the makeshift stage. The dark-skined chap,
painted and feathered, hooted in hoarse chanting and shuffled his heavy
feet.
Before long the Afro was signalled to halt his theatrics. From the
covered end of the wagon a spindly figure draped in black clothes and
topped with a battered beaver appeared...
"Uncle Ebeneezer, Uncle Ebeneezer," Jeb called out lustily.
Silence reigned as the scarecrow of a man peered with the quint of eyes
through the dusk of the day toward the call of his name. Well, it
didn't take long for Ebeneezer to jump from the wagon and to embrace
the trader. With tears to his eyes he cried out...
"Jeb, Jeb Stuart, me boy. It's been so many years?."